Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Restoring Christ
But because of his great love
for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
made us alive with Christ
even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been
saved.V.4&5)
For
today’s meditation I want to begin with a brief discussion about zombies!
Zombies are creatures of fiction and legend that are dead but walk among the
living as if they are alive, with no will of their own but that of their
master. This seems to be an apt metaphor for today since we all
occasionally or perpetually fall under the control of a false master, with no
will of our own. We live, but are under the control of “things” that have
no life.
The
Blessed Apostle Paul rejoiced in and encouraged the Ephesians’ faith in Christ
our Lord. The Ephesians were former pagan Greeks whose previous
lifestyles and values were very different from that which was taught by our
Lord and the Apostles. They were dead in their transgressions, slaves to
idols, gratifying the cravings of their sinful nature. Through their
faith in Christ they were brought to life and saved by grace. The pagan
Ephesians however are still present in this day. It is just that they are
now called New Yorkers, Mumbaites, Londoners, and so on. They are
us!
Like
the Ephesians in their former lives, do we not become obsessed by worldly
possessions, its trends, and its attachments? How many among us can only
find shortcomings with our current dwelling, or transport, or even spouse
because they do not meet all the qualifications of our desires? How many
among us feel the need to speak to our children with the most hurtful tongue
because we will accept nothing lees from them than getting admission to that
top school that our co-worker’s child has gotten into? How many among us
dismiss a family conversation at the end of the day, spending that time with
our smart phones instead? These attitudes, obsessions, and attachments
are merely reflections of the true reality of our condition – that of spiritual
emptiness, or death!
Living
for the ways and priorities of this world is death, or zombie-like. There
is only one path that is available for us to be reborn into life from death;
through the restoration of Christ our Lord into our lives, through faith,
through the saving grace and mercy of our Father in Heaven.
Prayer:
Almighty Father, grant us the wisdom to realize our weakness of spirit and
help us come into life through Jesus Christ our Savior… Amen
Thought
for the day: Awake and come alive in Christ.
Jaideep Mathai